Discover Ambleside

Ambleside lies in a valley between several fells and at the northern end of Windermere. Its history can be seen in its buildings, market tradition and collections; at the same time, short walks lead to a waterfall, and a named walking route goes to Grasmere. This means that when choosing a destination, you can consider both specific cultural themes and different ways to spend time outdoors.

Architecture and culture in Ambleside

The 17th-century Bridge House stands in the centre of Ambleside, above Stock Beck. It was originally built to provide access to land on the other side of the stream and to store apples from nearby orchards. Its history therefore links two practical purposes: access to land across the water and the storage of locally grown fruit.

The Ambleside Conservation Area also conveys the breadth of the town’s architectural history. It includes 38 listed buildings dating from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. The Market Cross adds to this picture: more precisely, it is a pillar topped by a sandstone block about a foot in size and shaped like a cube. The monument represents the thriving market town that developed in Ambleside after the charter was granted in 1650.

Another architectural landmark is St. Mary's Church. Sir George Gilbert Scott designed it in the Early Gothic style in the 1850s. This example adds a clearly documented connection between the period of construction, the designer and the architectural style to the older buildings.

The Armitt is a museum, library and gallery that presents the history and heritage of Ambleside and its people. Collection highlights include Beatrix Potter’s mushroom watercolours, Roman remains from Ambleside Roman Fort, the Charlotte Mason archives and paintings by Kurt Schwitters. This selection brings together different themes: nature illustrations, Roman history, archives and art. The objects on display may change.

Ambleside Roman Fort, also known as Galava, was built around AD 79 to protect important trade routes through Cumbria. Roman history therefore complements the evidence of the town’s development with a perspective on the region’s trade routes.

Walks and a hiking route

You can reach Stock Ghyll Force from the town centre on a short walk. You can view the waterfall safely from a lookout point with a railing. The Coffin Road is a walking route from Ambleside to Grasmere. There are therefore different options: a short walk to the waterfall and a named route from Ambleside to Grasmere.

Waterhead Pier is less than a mile from the town centre. You can get there on a pleasant walk or by electric shuttle bus. Two specific ways of getting there are therefore given: on foot or by shuttle bus.

Travelling by bus

Bus routes 555 and 556 serve Ambleside on services between Windermere, Kendal, Grasmere and Keswick. These routes provide guidance for travelling between the places listed. As timetables may change, check the times for your travel dates before setting out.

Discover more destinations: Brigham, Underbarrow, Killington, Burneside, Winton, Kirkby-In-Furness, Backbarrow, Mungrisdale.

For the overview of the wider region: Cumbria.